When President Abraham Lincoln took office in 1861, the nation was on the brink of collapse. The situation came to a head with the fall of Fort Sumter to the Confederates in April 1861. As war became inevitable, both sides prepared for what they believed would be a short conflict. People:Robert Anderson, Robert E. Lee, Elizabeth Blackwell, Sally Louisa Tompkins Links:Inside Fort Sumter
Like most people, Lincoln believed that the war would be short. In mid-July 1861 he sent General Irvin McDowell and some 35,000 barely trained troops “Forward to Richmond”. Laughing and joking along the way, the troops were joined by sightseers and reporters. The onlookers hoped to view a quick Union victory. Instead, they witnessed a Union defeat. As both sides came to realize that a victory would not come easily, they began to prepare for war more seriously. People:Irvin McDowell, Jospeh E. Johnston, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
During 1862 and 1863 the Confederacy won many of the battles in the East. President Lincoln had no luck finding a general able to defeat Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. The Union’s eastern forces had five different commanders in just one year. In the West, however, the Union forces led by Ulysses S. Grant achieved great success.People: George B. McClellan, John B. Macgruder, Jeb Stuart, Ambrose E. Burnside, Jospeh Hooker, David Farragut
For the North, the Civil War began as a battle to save the Union. During the first year and a half of fighting, President Lincoln stated repeatedly that preserving the Union was his only goal. To retain the support of slaveholders loyal to the Union, he pledged not to interfere with the institution of slavery anywhere. Early on, however, abolitionists demanded that the North shift its war aims from saving the Union to ending slavery.People: Martin Delany, Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman Links:1864 Presidential Election, Civil War Summary Map
The Civil War: Brother vs. Brother
1. The Union Dissolves
When President Abraham Lincoln took office in 1861, the nation was on the brink of collapse. The situation came to a head with the fall of Fort Sumter to the Confederates in April 1861. As war became inevitable, both sides prepared for what they believed would be a short conflict.People: Robert Anderson, Robert E. Lee, Elizabeth Blackwell, Sally Louisa Tompkins
Links: Inside Fort Sumter
Text: The Civil War
ASSIGNMENT: 12.1
2. The North and South Face Off
Like most people, Lincoln believed that the war would be short. In mid-July 1861 he sent General Irvin McDowell and some 35,000 barely trained troops “Forward to Richmond”. Laughing and joking along the way, the troops were joined by sightseers and reporters. The onlookers hoped to view a quick Union victory. Instead, they witnessed a Union defeat. As both sides came to realize that a victory would not come easily, they began to prepare for war more seriously.People: Irvin McDowell, Jospeh E. Johnston, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
ASSIGNMENT: 12.2
3. Eastern Campaigns and War in the West
During 1862 and 1863 the Confederacy won many of the battles in the East. President Lincoln had no luck finding a general able to defeat Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. The Union’s eastern forces had five different commanders in just one year. In the West, however, the Union forces led by Ulysses S. Grant achieved great success.People: George B. McClellan, John B. Macgruder, Jeb Stuart, Ambrose E. Burnside, Jospeh Hooker, David FarragutASSIGNMENT: 12.3
4. The Final Phase
For the North, the Civil War began as a battle to save the Union. During the first year and a half of fighting, President Lincoln stated repeatedly that preserving the Union was his only goal. To retain the support of slaveholders loyal to the Union, he pledged not to interfere with the institution of slavery anywhere. Early on, however, abolitionists demanded that the North shift its war aims from saving the Union to ending slavery.People: Martin Delany, Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman Links: 1864 Presidential Election, Civil War Summary MapASSIGNMENT: 12.4
PROJECT 12: CIVIL WAR TIMELINE
Civil War Timeline - Directions and RubricTEST 12:
Study Guide 12Test Site